Benazepril



Better Known as: Lotensin (Lotrel when combined with Amlodipine)

 * Marketed By: Novartis International AG


 * Major Indication: Hypertension & Congestive Heart Failure


 * Drug Class: ACE Inhibitor
 * Date of FDA Approval (Patent Expiration): 1991 (2003)


 * 2002 Sales (Lotrel 2005 Sales): $300 Million ($1.2 Billion)
 * Importance: One of the earliest and best selling Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors of all time.
 * See Pharmaceutical Drugs for more information about other drugs and diseases.

Mechanism of Action
Angiotensin II has been implicated in cardiac, renal and vascular diseases. Bradykinin, a small peptide that counterbalance the effects of Angiotensin II by acting as a strong vasodilator upon binding AT2, is degraded by the same ACE-1 enzyme. Since ACE-1 is the primary producer of Angiotensin II and degrader of Bradykinins, inhibition of ACE-1 has proven an effective treatment for Hypertension and Congestive Heart Failure.